March 6, 2008
Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's Gaels (4-9) were unable to overcome the stellar pitching of North Dakota State (18-4), as they lost both games of the double header, 9-4 and 1-0 respectively. Sophomore Jenna Smith tagged her fifth homerun of the season in the Gaels' first game; the catcher totaled two runs, two hits, and three RBIs on the day. With five homeruns in the season thus far, Smith ranks fifth in the Gael record books for homeruns in single season.
Offense was the name of the game in the first showing of the afternoon, as Saint Mary's recorded four runs and seven hits, while the Bison added nine runs and 14 hits. North Dakota State scored two runs right off the bat, as Jackie Currie brought in Melissa Chmielewski and Kelly Cantrell on a double in the first inning.
The Gaels were the next to score, when Jenna Smith rounded the bases off three Bison errors in the fourth. Saint Mary's recorded their remaining three runs in the bottom of the fifth, when Smith went yard over the left field fence. The homerun brought in Sandra Ruezga and Molly Bergeson, with Smith recorded three RBIs on the play.
In the last three innings, North Dakota posted seven runs and 11 hits, defeating the Gaels 9-4.
The second meeting of the day consisted of consistent pitching and defensive play. The game remained scoreless throughout the first six innings, as both teams recorded 11 hits combined. Maryanne Cronin pitched a complete game for the Gaels, as she held the Bison to one run and five hits. In the circle for North Dakota State was Bekki Rasmussen, holding Saint Mary's to no runs and six hits, while striking out eight batters in seven innings pitched.
At the top of the sixth it seemed as though the game would continue into extra innings, but a homerun by Aimee Enzler put the first run on the board, as it was all the Bison needed to grasp the victory.
Sophomore Kat Delpit led off in the top of the seventh with a double up the right line, while Megan Galloway followed with a single to centerfield. With the momentum in Saint Mary's hands it looked like they would use a late rally to earn the win, but with two players in scoring position they were unable to convert, ending the inning with three consecutive outs.
Saint Mary's returns to action on the road against CSU Bakersfield on March 8 and 9. The Gaels will play double headers against the Roadrunners on both days, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 pm.
